France 1992: Renault Clio starts its reign

* See the Top 233 best-selling models by clicking on 'Read more' at end of post! Many thanks to STAC for making this post possible! *

French car sales are up 4% this year to 2,105,700 registrations. 18 months after its original launch, the Renault Clio finds its mark and dominates the whole year, ranking 1st from January to December and peaking at 12.6% in October for what still remains today its best ever monthly market share. It finishes the year at 233,209 units and 11.1% market share, up 21%.

Renault 19

Boosted by its facelift, the Renault 19 climbs onto the second step of the podium with 148,392 sales and 7% share, up 25%. The Peugeot 205 drops to 3rd place at 129,546 units and 6.2%, giving way to the Peugeot 106. The relay was passed in October when the 106 ranked above the 205 for the first time and kept the lead for the rest of the year. The 106 finished the year at #7 with 97,820 sales and 4.6%.

Peugeot 106

Other good performers this year: the Citroen ZX up 3 spots and 53% to #6 at 98,578 units (4.7%). The VW Golf up 36% to 83,402 sales and 4%, the best ever annual market share for a foreign model in France. The Ford Fiesta, up 9% to 79,513 units and 3.8%, the Opel Astra, up to #16 for its first full year of sales with 34,539 sales and 1.6% and the Renault Safrane, best newcomer landing directly in 19th place at 29,510 units and 1.4% share.

Ferrari F40

Further down the ranking, notice the arrival of the first South Korean models ever to be available in France: the Hyundai Pony is #117 with 632 sales, the Hyundai Lantra is #125 at 473 units, the Hyundai Scoupe #162 with 100 sales and the Hyundai Sonata #164 at 84 units.

Daihatsu also makes its first appearance in France with the Charade best-seller at #173 and 64 sales, and so does Subaru with the Legacy selling 60 units (#176). See also the Ferrari 512 landing at #166 with 75 sales, just below the Ferrari 348 (115 units), while the Ferrari F40 sees its sales jump 67% to 10 units...